We have reached the end of our journey through this great Book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 62, we have a wonderful picture of the consummation of God’s covenant relationship with His people. God’s people are pictured as a Holy Bride who are inhabiting a gloriously redeemed Jerusalem with people from all nations streaming to it. This is a prophecy of the new heaven and the new earth in the age to come. In Revelation 21:1-3, we read these words:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will with them and be their God.”

In many ways one would think Isaiah 62 would be a perfect ending to Isaiah’s vision regarding the birth of a new world. But Isaiah’s great prophetic Book does not end here. Why? Well, between Isaiah’s vision and the end of this present age, many hundreds of years will go by. In the meantime, God’s people have a responsibility to live in a certain way before others and before God that is reflective of God’s character. We are to live in such a way that points to the LORD and which hastens the day when God’s kingdom fully comes.

Hasten The Day By Living In A Certain Way

In Isaiah 64-66, we have an exhortation and encouragement to the Israelites to live in God’s ways. In the past, God worked in a surprising manner in the Exodus, when He delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. Isaiah presently pictures Israel in exile. They are not experiencing God’s presence and power in their present situation (Is. 63:17-19). Many of them are wondering why God is not responsive. God’s answer is that He is responsive to them constantly. In Is. 65:1, God says “Here am I, here am I.” All day long He has wanted to act on their behalf (Is. 65:2).

The problem of Israel’s present barrenness is not on God side but on Israel’s side. They are wanting God to work in their lives but on their terms, not on God’s terms (Is. 64:5-7). God has revealed Himself as One who acts on the behalf of His people, but only for those who are truly committed to living according to His ways. We are to wait on God patiently and allow Him to work how He deems best (Is. 64:1-4). It is these believers who will experience God’s powerful working in their lives and who will hasten the coming of God’s kingdom.

Throughout Isaiah 64-66, professing believers who consistently act in a self-willed manner, even as they profess serving the LORD, are pictured no better than pagans . We have seen throughout the Book of Isaiah that God has no use for outward rituals, like fasting, prayer and temple/church attendance, when we are self-centered and oblivious to other people’s needs (Is. 66:3-4; 1:10-17). People who God esteems, and who will participate in the new heaven and the new earth, are those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at His word (Is. 66:2).

The Vision ends with a New World that will be made up of all those who have humbled themselves, whether Jew or Gentile, and accepted God’s invitation of salvation (Is. 66:18-24). Whoever has repented of their sin and turned to the long-suffering LORD will experience eternal blessings beyond imagination. Those who are wise in their own eyes and oblivious in their pride to the need of forgiveness for their sins will perish.

Let me close with the words of Isaiah 55:1-3:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”

Yes, come the Spirit says, come to Jesus, the new David, and you will find rest for your soul and peace with your Maker. Believe the Good News of King Jesus, who has won the victory for us!

QOTD: Have you taken up the invitation of Isaiah 55:1-3, are you fully trusting in the LORD for your life and eternity?